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New initiative to tackle NCDs on national level launched

July 16, 2013 - The NCD Alliance (NCDA) today launched a programme to support civil society efforts to tackle Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) at the national level. NCDs kill approximately 36 million people per year, with 80% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. If current trends continue, this figure is projected to rise to 52 million deaths by 2030.

‘Strengthening Health Systems, Supporting NCD Action’, is designed to build the capacity of NCD civil society, to monitor national progress on NCDs and advocate for improved NCD policies and strengthening of health systems.

Funded by Medtronic Philanthropy, the programme will award more than $300,000 USD over two years to local partners in Brazil, South Africa, and the Caribbean region. In 2012 alone, these regions recorded over 275,000 deaths related to diabetes.

Selected grantees will be provided with tools and support to enable them to enter into dialogue with their governments. The programme will help chosen countries reach the WHO target of a 25% reduction in preventable NCD deaths by 2025.

The NCDA is currently accepting applications from local organisations to be a National Implementing Partner in this programme.

Applicants must be a member of one of the founding federations of the NCD Alliance and be based in Brazil, South Africa or CARICOM.

If your diabetes organisation is interested in applying, please contact Sheree Dodd, Director of Policy and Programmes, IDF, directly for a Request for Proposal and associated grant form.

IDF has ensured, in collaboration with the NCDA, that our current Diabetes Scorecard project will fit under the broader NCDA proposed toolkit.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has launched a new programme aimed at preventing lower-extremity amputations in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Diabetes Africa Foot Initiative (DAFI) is a multi-stakeholder partnership that will develop a comprehensive, affordable and sustainable foot screening programme for the region.

The diabetic foot is a complication of diabetes that carries a high morbidity and mortality rate in Africa, and is increasing as the burden of diabetes continues to rise. Amputations remain high, despite intensive training of health workers in traditional preventive methods. DAFI aims to address the lack of a common, regionally accepted, sustainable and comprehensive approach for diabetes foot care in the region.

The Programme will be implemented in 10 countries: Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda. The first phase of DAFI will develop and implement a Risk-Stratification and Intervention Tool and its associated protocol in 10 selected diabetes centres. Health workers from these institutions will be trained in diabetes foot care and certified as Diabetes Foot Care Assistants. In collaboration with national health authorities and local communities, IDF Member Associations will start information activities.

DAFI is a programme led by IDF in collaboration with the IDF Africa Region, the University of Johannesburg, Université Senghor, Université Numérique Francophone Mondiale and Sanofi Diabetes.

Patient Solidarity Day

On 30 October 2013, patients in countries across Africa will come together to mark the first ever regional Patient Solidarity Day.

Patient Solidarity Day forms part of the International Alliance of Patients’ Organization’s (IAPO) Regional Strategy in Africa; to create regional networks, develop the capacity of patients’ organizations and facilitate regional networks of patients’ organizations to communicate a unified voice on shared agendas.

Patient Solidarity Day was created by a patients’ organization in Kenya in 2011, calling for patient-centred healthcare regardless of illness. IAPO’s steering committee of IAPO member representatives in the region has developed the initiative to be region-wide. This year brings the opportunity to create impact across Africa by marking Patient Solidarity Day as a regional event, building on its opportunities to increase awareness, collaboration and support for patient-centred healthcare in the region. IAPO members in Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe will mark the day with events, activities, marches, press conferences and a call to action. Patient Solidarity Day will call on all Ministers of Health and all healthcare stakeholders to “Improve lives through patient-centred healthcare."

The First African Diabetes Congress was organized by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Africa Region, with anticipated participation by members of the Pan-African Diabetes Study Group (PADSG), Pan-African Diabetes Educators Group (PADEG), Pan-African Association for Foot Care (PAAFC) and all those working in the area of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).